HMR (Hybrid Mobility Robot)

2023: Product Announcement

On July 18, 2023, the American company Revolute Robotics introduced the Hybrid Mobility Robot (HMR) autonomous robotic system. This is an unusual drone that is able not only to fly, but also to ride on the ground or other surfaces.

HMR is a quadcopter with four bearing screws enclosed in a special spherical frame. The latter allows the device to move like a tumbleweed plant. At the same time, special sensors and hinge rings make it possible to change the direction of movement.

Hybrid Mobility Robot (HMR)

When there are large obstacles to the path, the flight mode is activated. In this case, the energy consumption of the batteries increases by about five times. The spherical cell is capable of deforming to a certain extent, which allows it to perform the functions of a shock absorber when landing a drone. In addition, it protects electronic components from excessive vibration when rolling over rough terrain. On top of that, the cage covers the carrier screws, allowing the robot to operate in close proximity to humans.

Several possible applications are considered for HMR. One of them is inspection of long pipes or shafts with limited space: in this case, the robot can be endowed with additional sensors of one purpose or another and video cameras. The device will be able to easily overcome vertical sections thanks to the flight mode, which is inaccessible to wheeled or tracked vehicles. In addition, the bot can be used for security purposes, such as inspecting a suspicious item or patrolling a large perimeter. According to Revolute Robotics, their development will also come in handy in the military sphere. Plus, the robot can be in demand during search and rescue operations.^[1]

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